clothing question

[cruisergrandma]

We are sailing for the first time on HAL. Other than formal nights is it necessary for my husband to wear a jacket? What is the dress code for informal night? And I assume casual means resort casual. Of course we have cruised enough (always on Carnival) to know no jeans, no tee shirts, etc.

[LolaWiz]

informal to us always meant sport coat/jacket and tie with nice slacks. i have seen long sleeved shirts and ties on in formal night as well

[peaches from georgia]

The dress code for informal nights for gentlemen is: jacket requested, tie optional.

[RevNeal]

HAL's Evening Dress Code (taken from the "Know Before You Go" Booklet which will be included in your documentation):

Evening dress falls into three distinct categories. Each night a daily program will be delivered to your stateroom announcing the suggested dress for the following evening. Comfortable, relaxed clothing is fine for evenings designated as casual; however, T-shirts, jeans, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the dining room, Lido restaurant, or public areas during the evening hours. During informal nights, dresses or pantsuits for women and jackets (tie optional) for men are standard.

On festive formal evenings, women usually wear cocktail dresses or gowns and men usually wear business suits or tuxedos. There are approximately two formal nights per week. (Gentlemen: Although business suits or tuxedos are suggested attire for formal evenings, they are certainly not required. You are welcome to wear a jacket and tie on formal nights.) Formalwear for ladies and gentlemen can be pre-ordered for your use for the duration of your cruise. Just call Cruise Line Formalwear at 800-551-5091 to reserve and it will be ready in your stateroom when you board.

In order to complement your fellow guests, Holland America asks that you observe the suggested dress code throughout the entire evening.


Hence, on informal evenings men are asked to wear a jacket. The tie is entirely optional (though I also tend to wear one ... unless I'm wearing clerics). Indeed, and as a matter of minimal interpretation, the following constitutes the differences between the evenings for men:

Formal: Jacket and tie (slacks, dress shirt, and shoes are also expected :D )
Informal: Jacket (tie optional ... pants, shirt, and shoes are NOT optional)
Casual: slacks or (yes, shudder) jeans, shirt, and shoes.

Stated in reverse -- if one wears dockers and a blue button down shirt on casual night, all one has to do to conform to informal night is to put on a jacket. Then, all one has to do to conform to formal night is to add a tie. I agree: dockers, blue button down shirt, jacket and tie are NOT formal wear ... nevertheless, such would qualify one for being "properly dressed" on formal night.

In other words, it doesn't take much to be dressed according to the code on HAL. A Tuxedo is not required for formal nights, although a tux or a business suit are suggested (and men DO look great dressed in them). On informal nights they DO ask that one wear a jacket.

Oh, and they also ask that we abide by the dress code for the entire evening.

Simple.

[doninla]

Just returned from Alaska on the Volendam. On informal nights the dress ranged from coat and tie to sweatshirts and jeans (maybe half wore coats). On casual nights, I saw some of the worst dressed people in my life. I was way overdressed in nice jeans and sportcoat.

[bruce-r]

Just returned from Alaska on the Volendam. On informal nights the dress ranged from coat and tie to sweatshirts and jeans (maybe half wore coats). On casual nights, I saw some of the worst dressed people in my life. I was way overdressed in nice jeans and sportcoat.Better overdressed than to be some of those "other" people you saw.